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Graham Micklewright, regional director for Redrow, said: “We wrote to Mr Gregg when he first raised the issue with us back in January and explained that his property is outside the 10-year warranty period.

“The 10-year period is set by the NHBC – an independent body - and any significant defects should make themselves apparent within that timeframe.”

A spokesman for the district council said: “Building control officers from the council visited Mr Gregg’s property on August 2001 to inspect the drains.

"The drains in place at the time were fully tested and were found to be working correctly.

“No further contact was received from Mr Gregg until 16 years later, in early 2017.

"We have looked into the concerns raised and have advised of possible next steps to resolve the matter.”

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Doug was not happy with his correspondence with the council or Redrow. He said: “I’m appalled that a company can just abdicate responsibility like that.

"Neither the council nor Redrow even had the courtesy to come down and check it out.

"It’s been almost a year since I first reported it now.

"All they give me are standard fob-offs.

“The council say that they tested the system, but that was only for half of it.

"They just didn’t check the drawings because the blueprints would have shown that a pipe was there.